Lehighton Firemen Take Second Place In State Parade

September 29, 1985|The Morning Call

Lehigh Fire Co. No. 1, Lehighton, was one of the top prize-winning units in the State Firemen's Association Parade Saturday in Reading.

The Lehighton fire company, judged the second-best-appearing fire company with music in the parade, received $300 and a trophy. Fire Chief Edward J. Conarty Jr. said 46 men and an ambulance participated.

The Lehighton firemen were led by the Lehighton Fire Police Color Guard. Music was provided by the Lehighton Band under the direction of Paul R. Smith.

The 14-division parade took 7 1/2 hours to pass the reviewing stand. The Lehighton firemen were in the eighth division.

The Tamaqua Fire Department and Aquashicola-Lower Towamensing Fire Co. also participated in the parade.

The South Ward and Citizens fire companies and four pieces of fire fighting equipment - one from each of the four companies - represented the Tamaqua Fire Department, while Aquashicola had one piece of fire fighting equipment in the parade.

As a result of a mix-up in the parade lineup, only 31 firemen from two of the four companies that make up the Tamaqua Fire Department participated in the parade. Members of the American and East End fire companies had to drop out.

According to Tamaqua Fire Chief Robert DeLay, the Bethlehem American Legion Band was to provide the march music for the department. However, the parade committee placed the Tamaqua firemen in the ninth division, while the band was placed in the fourth division.